NLC deadlock continues

PUDUCHERRY: Talks between the NLC management and the trade union representatives of the contract workers failed to break the impasse here on Wednesday. AITUC leader M Sekar said the NLC management insisted that the workers call off the strike before participating in the talks, but had not come forward with any suggestions for settling the issue amicably.Meanwhile, the workers had decided to continue with the strike and nearly 1000 workers staged a demonstration near NLC office on Wednesday.Some 13,000 contract workers have been on strike since Saturday pressing for the implementation of an 11-point charter, which included equal pay for equal work, regularisation of services and increase in the retirement age.The talks were convened by R Sivaraj, central assistant labour welfare commissioner. At present, there is uncertainty about the dates for the next round of talks.